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President of the
Republic of Guatemala
Guatemala Presidental Flag.svg
Presidential flag
Coat of arms of Guatemala.svg
Cesar Bernardo Arévalo de León (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Bernardo Arévalo

since 15 January 2024
Office of the President of Guatemala
National Security Council
Style Mr. President
(informal)
Most Excellent Mr. President of the Republic
(official)
Member of Cabinet
Residence Casa Presidencial de Guatemala Casa Crema
Seat Guatemala City
Appointer Supreme Electoral Court
Term length Four years
non-renewable
Constituting instrument Guatemalan Constitution
Inaugural holder Mariano Rivera Paz
Formation 3 December 1839
(184 years ago)
 (1839-12-03)
Deputy Vice President of Guatemala
Salary 146,950 GTQ monthly
($18,863 as of May 2023)

The president of Guatemala (Spanish: [Presidente de Guatemala] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)), officially titled President of the Republic of Guatemala (Spanish: [Presidente de la República de Guatemala] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)), is the head of state and head of government of Guatemala, elected to a single four-year term. The position of President was created in 1839.


Requirements to hold office

According to article 185 of the constitution, the following is required to be president:

  • A Guatemalan of origin who is a citizen in good standing.
  • At least 40 years of age.

Under article 186, relatives of the incumbent president or vice president are not allowed to run in the succeeding election.

Duties and competences

According to article 183 of the constitution, the following duties and competences are conferred to the president:

  • Comply with and enforce the Constitution and laws.
  • Provide the defense and security of the Nation, as well as the preservation of public order.
  • Exercise the command of the Armed Forces of Guatemala with all the respective functions and attributions.
  • Exercise the command of the National Police.
  • Approve, promulgate, execute and enforce laws.
  • Dictate the provisions that are necessary in cases of serious emergency or public calamity, having to report to the Congress in its immediate sessions.
  • Submit proposals of laws to the Congress.
  • Exercise the right of veto with respect to the laws issued by the Congress, except in cases in which it is not necessary to sanction the executive branch in accordance with the Constitution.
  • Present annually to the Congress, at the beginning of its session, written report on the general situation of the Republic and of the business of its administration carried out during the previous year.
  • Submit annually to the Congress, for approval with no less than one hundred and twenty days prior to the date on which the fiscal year begins, through the Ministry of Public Finance, the draft budget that contains in detail the income and expenditures of the State. If the Congress is not in session, it must hold extraordinary sessions to hear about the project.
  • Submit for consideration of the Congress for approval, and before ratification, treaties and conventions of international character and contracts and concessions on public services.
  • To summon the Legislative Organism to extraordinary sessions when the interests of the Republic demand it.
  • Coordinate the development policy of the Nation through the Council of Ministers.
  • Preside over the Council of Ministers and exercise the function of hierarchical superior of the officials and employees of the Executive Organism.
  • Maintain the territorial integrity and dignity of the Nation.
  • Direct foreign policy and international relations, pronounce, ratify and denounce treaties and agreements in accordance with the Constitution.
  • Receive the diplomatic representatives, as well as issue and withdraw the exequatur to the patents of the consuls.
  • Administer public finances in accordance with the law.
  • Exonerate of fines and surcharges to the taxpayers who have incurred in them for not covering the taxes within the legal terms for acts or omissions in the administrative order.
  • Appoint and remove ministers of state, deputy ministers, secretaries and undersecretaries of the presidency, ambassadors and other officials that correspond to it according to the law.
  • Grant premiums, pensions and subsidies in accordance with the Law.
  • Award decorations to Guatemalans and foreigners.
  • Within the fifteen days following its conclusion, inform the Congress about the purpose of any trip that has taken place outside the national territory and about the results thereof.
  • Submit every four months to the Congress through the respective ministry an analytical report on the budget execution, for its knowledge and control.
  • Exercise all other functions assigned by the Constitution or the law.

Heads of state of Guatemala within the Federal Republic of Central America (1824–1839)

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Political party
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Blank.png Alejandro Diaz Cabeza de Vaca
(–)
Provisional
15 September 1824 12 October 1824 27 days Conservative
2 Blank.png Juan Barrundia
(–)
12 October 1824 9 September 1826 1 year, 332 days Liberal
3 Cirilo Flores.jpg Cirilo Flores Estrada
(1779–1826)
Acting
9 September 1826 13 October 1826 34 days N/A
4 Blank.png Jose Domingo Estrada
(–)
Acting
2 January 1827 1 March 1827 58 days Conservative
5 Aycinena.jpg Mariano de Aycinena y Piñol
(1789–1855)
1 March 1827 12 April 1829 2 years, 42 days Conservative
6 Blank.png Mario Zenteno
(–)
Provisional
13 April 1829 30 April 1829 17 days Conservative
7 Blank.png Juan Francisco Barrundia y Cepeda
(–)
30 April 1829 23 August 1829 115 days Liberal
8 Pedro Molina Mazariegos.jpg Pedro Molina Mazariegos
(1777–1854)
23 August 1829 10 February 1831 1 year, 171 days Liberal
9 Blank.png José Gregorio Márquez
(–)
Acting
10 February 1831 28 August 1835 199 days N/A
10 Mariano Gálvez.jpg Mariano Gálvez
(c. 1794–1862)
28 August 1831 3 March 1838 6 years, 187 days Liberal
11 Pedro José Valenzuela.jpg Pedro José Valenzuela y Jáuregui
(–)
Acting
3 March 1838 29 July 1838 148 days N/A
12 Mariano Rivera Paz.jpg Mariano Rivera Paz
(1804–1849)
Acting
29 July 1838 30 January 1839 185 days Conservative
13 Carlos Salazar Castro (San Salvador, 1800 - San José, 23 de julio de 1867) fue un militar liberal salvadoreño.jpg Carlos Salazar Castro
(1800–1867)
Provisional
30 January 1839 13 April 1839 73 days N/A
14 Mariano Rivera Paz.jpg Mariano Rivera Paz
(1804–1849)
Acting
13 April 1839 3 December 1839 234 days Conservative

Presidents of independent Guatemala (1839–present)

Note: Regarding the numbering of the terms, several reliable sources state that Jimmy Morales is the 50th president

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Political party Elected
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Mariano Rivera Paz.jpg Mariano Rivera Paz
(1804–1849)
3 December 1839 25 February 1842 2 years, 84 days Conservative
2 Jlrequenaguatemalapresd.jpg José Venancio López
(1791–1863)
Acting
25 February 1842 14 May 1842 78 days Independent
3 Mariano Rivera Paz.jpg Mariano Rivera Paz
(1804–1849)
14 May 1842 14 December 1844 2 years, 214 days Conservative
4 Carrerayturcios 2014-06-22 09-46 (cropped).jpg Rafael Carrera
(1814–1865)
14 December 1844 16 August 1848 3 years, 246 days Conservative
5 Juan Antonio Martinez presidente interino Guatemala.jpg Juan Antonio Martínez
(?–1854)
Acting
16 August 1848 28 November 1848 104 days Conservative
6 Blank.png José Bernardo Escobar
(1797–1849)
Acting
28 November 1848 1 January 1849 34 days Conservative
7 Mariano Paredes
(1800–1856)
Acting
1 January 1849 6 November 1851 2 years, 309 days Independent
8 Carrerayturcios 2014-06-22 09-46 (cropped).jpg Rafael Carrera
(1814–1865)
6 November 1851 14 April 1865 13 years, 159 days Conservative
9 Aycinenacolor.jpg Pedro de Aycinena y Piñol
(1802–1897)
Acting
14 April 1865 24 May 1865 40 days Conservative
10 VicenteCerna.jpg Vicente Cerna Sandoval
(1815–1885)
24 May 1865 29 June 1871 6 years, 36 days Conservative
11 La Locomotor 1906 García Granados (cropped).jpeg Miguel García Granados
(1809–1878)
29 June 1871 4 June 1873 1 year, 340 days Liberal
12 Justo Rufino Barrios.jpg Justo Rufino Barrios
(1835–1885)
4 June 1873 2 April 1885 11 years, 302 days Liberal 1873
1880
13 Alejandrosinibaldi.jpg Alejandro M. Sinibaldi
(1825–1896)
Acting
2 April 1885 5 April 1885 3 days Liberal
14 Barillas.jpg Manuel Barillas
(1845–1907)
6 April 1885 15 March 1892 6 years, 345 days Liberal
15 Jose Ma. Reina Barrios.jpg José María Reina Barrios
(1854–1898)
15 March 1892 8 February 1898 5 years, 330 days Liberal 1892
16 Manuel Estrada Cabrera, 1916.jpg Manuel Estrada Cabrera
(1857–1924)
8 February 1898 15 April 1920 22 years, 67 days Liberal 1898
1904
1910
1916
17 CarlosHerrerayLuna.jpg Carlos Herrera
(1856–1930)
15 April 1920 10 December 1921 1 year, 239 days Unionist Party 1920 (Apr)
1920 (Aug)
18 José María Orellana Pinto.jpg José María Orellana
(1872–1926)
10 December 1921 26 September 1926 4 years, 290 days Liberal 1921
1922
19 Lazarochacon1926.jpg Lázaro Chacón González
(1873–1931)
26 September 1926 12 December 1930 4 years, 77 days Unionist Party 1926
Palma1923.jpg Baudilio Palma
(1880–1930)
Acting
13 December 1930 17 December 1930 4 days Conservative
Orellanagala.jpg Manuel María Orellana Contreras
(1870–1940)
De facto
17 December 1930 2 January 1931 16 days Liberal
20 José María Reyna Andrade.jpg José María Reina Andrade
(1860–1947)
Acting
2 January 1931 14 February 1931 43 days Liberal
21 Presidente Jorge Ubico Castañeda.png Jorge Ubico
(1878–1946)
14 February 1931 1 July 1944 13 years, 138 days Progressive Liberal Party 1931
22 Federicoponcevaides.jpg Juan Federico Ponce Vaides
(1889–1956)
Acting
1 July 1944 20 October 1944 111 days Progressive Liberal Party
23 Juntagobierno1944.jpg Revolutionary Government Junta 20 October 1944 15 March 1945 146 days Military
24 Retrato oficial de Presidente Juan José Arévalo (cropped 1).jpg Juan José Arévalo
(1904–1990)
15 March 1945 15 March 1951 6 years Revolutionary Action Party 1944
25 Retrato de Presidente Jacobo Árbenz.png Jacobo Árbenz
(1913–1971)
15 March 1951 27 June 1954
(Deposed)
3 years, 104 days Revolutionary Action Party /
Party of the Guatemalan Revolution
1950
26 Retrato de Carlos Enrique Díaz de León (cropped).jpg Carlos Enrique Díaz de León
(1915–2014)
Provisional President
27 June 1954 29 June 1954 2 days Military
27 Blank.png Elfego Hernán Monzón Aguirre
(1912–1981)
Chairman of Military Junta
29 June 1954 8 July 1954 9 days Military
28 Carlos Castillo Armas (cropped 1).jpg Carlos Castillo Armas
(1914–1957)
8 July 1954 26 July 1957 3 years, 18 days National Liberation Movement 1954
29 Blank.png Luis Arturo González López
(1900–1965)
Acting
27 July 1957 24 October 1957 89 days Independent
30 Oscar Mendoza Azurdia.png Óscar Mendoza Azurdia
(1917–1995)
Chairman of Military Junta
24 October 1957 26 October 1957 2 days Military
31 Retrato oficial de Presidente Guillermo Flores Avendaño (cropped).jpg Guillermo Flores Avendaño
(1894–1982)
Acting
26 October 1957 2 March 1958 129 days Military
32 Foto oficial de Presidente Miguel Ydígoras Fuentes.png Miguel Ydígoras Fuentes
(1895–1982)
2 March 1958 31 March 1963
(Deposed)
5 years, 29 days Military /
REDENCION
1958
33 Retrato militar de Enrique Peralta Azurdia.png Enrique Peralta Azurdia
(1908–1997)
31 March 1963 1 July 1966 3 years, 92 days Institutional Democratic Party
34 Foto oficial de Julio César Méndez Montenegro (cropped 2).jpg Julio César Méndez Montenegro
(1915–1996)
1 July 1966 1 July 1970 4 years Revolutionary Party 1966
35 Retrato de Presidente Carlos Manuel Arana Osorio (cropped).jpg Carlos Manuel Arana Osorio
(1918–2003)
1 July 1970 1 July 1974 4 years Institutional Democratic Party 1970
36 Foto alternativa del retrato presidencial de Kjell Eugenio Laugerud Garcia (b).jpg Kjell Eugenio Laugerud García
(1930–2009)
1 July 1974 1 July 1978 4 years Institutional Democratic Party 1974
37 Retrato oficial de Presidente Fernando Romeo Lucas Garcia.jpg Fernando Romeo Lucas García
(1924–2006)
1 July 1978 23 March 1982
(Deposed)
3 years, 265 days Institutional Democratic Party 1978
38 Retrato oficial de Presidente Efraín Ríos Montt (cropped).jpg Efraín Ríos Montt
(1926–2018)
23 March 1982 8 August 1983
(Deposed)
1 year, 138 days Military
39 Blank.png Óscar Humberto Mejía Víctores
(1930–2016)
8 August 1983 14 January 1986 2 years, 159 days Military
40 Foto oficial de Presidente Vinicio Cerezo (cropped 1).jpg Vinicio Cerezo
(born 1942)
14 January 1986 14 January 1991 5 years Guatemalan Christian Democracy 1985
41 Foto oficial de Jorge Antonio Serrano Elías.png Jorge Serrano Elías
(born 1945)
14 January 1991 1 June 1993 2 years, 138 days Solidarity Action Movement 1990
42 Retrato oficial de Vicepresidente Gustavo Adolfo Espina Salguero.jpg Gustavo Adolfo Espina Salguero
(born 1946)
Acting
1 June 1993 5 June 1993 4 days Solidarity Action Movement
43 FiRetrato de Ramiro de León Carpio como Procurador de los Derechos Humanos de Guatemala (1987-1993)(cropped).jpg Ramiro de León Carpio
(1942–2002)
6 June 1993 14 January 1996 2 years, 222 days Independent 1993
44 Foto oficial de Presidente Álvaro Arzú (autografiado) (cropped).jpg Álvaro Arzú
(1946–2018)
14 January 1996 14 January 2000 4 years National Advancement Party /
Unionist Party
1995–1996
45 Foto oficial de Alfonso Portillo (cropped 2).jpg Alfonso Portillo
(born 1951)
14 January 2000 14 January 2004 4 years Guatemalan Republican Front 1999
46 Presidente Óscar Berger (cropped 2).jpg Óscar Berger
(born 1946)
14 January 2004 14 January 2008 4 years National Solidarity Party /
Grand National Alliance
2003
47 Foto oficial de Álvaro Colom (cropped) (cropped 1).jpg Álvaro Colom
(1951–2023)
14 January 2008 14 January 2012 4 years National Unity of Hope 2007
48 Foto oficial de Presidente Otto Molina Perez (cropped 1).jpg Otto Pérez Molina
(born 1950)
14 January 2012 3 September 2015 3 years, 232 days Patriotic Party /
Grand National Alliance
2011
49 Retrato oficial de Presidente Alejandro Maldonado Aguirre (cropped 3).jpg Alejandro Maldonado
(born 1936)
Acting
3 September 2015 14 January 2016 133 days Independent
50 Retrato oficial de Presidente Jimmy Morales (cropped 2).jpg Jimmy Morales
(born 1969)
14 January 2016 14 January 2020 4 years National Convergence Front 2015
51 Photographic portrait of Alejandro Giammattei Alejandro Giammattei
(born 1956)
14 January 2020 14 January 2024 4 years Vamos 2019
52 Retrato oficial de César Bernardo Arévalo De León, Deputado del Congreso (cropped 1).jpg Bernardo Arévalo
(born 1958)
15 January 2024 Incumbent 74 days Semilla 2023


See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Presidente de Guatemala para niños

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